Though predominantly black, the throat, breast and neck show a faint purple gloss.

It is quite commonly found in small towns and villages as long as there are mountains or hills for roosting and nesting relatively nearby.

It has been seen to drop a tortoise from a height on to hard ground, preferably on rocks, and then swoop down to eat it, or even pick it up again if not sufficiently broken.

Fruit, grain, insects, small reptiles, peanuts and human food are also readily taken, and the bird forages in back yards and gardens quite openly.

Nests are bowls of sticks lined with grass, hair, and wool, built mainly on cliff ledges but occasionally found in trees.